Nottingham Forest picked up a much-deserved point away to Brighton on Sunday to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign.
The Reds drew 2-2, the character of the performance somewhat dampened by Morgan Gibbs-White’s red card just under 10 minutes from time.
The Forest forward was sent off for a reckless tackle on Joao Pedro – although referee Rob Jones initially indicated that Gibbs-White had played the ball.
However, fourth official Anthony Taylor – no stranger to controversy – convinced him to change his mind and issue a second yellow card to Gibbs-White.
The man who started the game as Forest captain will now miss Saturday’s home game against Fulham and that is the conundrum for Nun Espirito Santo.
The Premier League issued its biggest ever hint that Rob Jones was wrong on Sunday
At first, it seemed that the judge could make up his own mind. He immediately indicated that Gibbs-White had played the ball and happily continued to throw in the ball.
Moments later, Gibbs-White headed down the tunnel, with Espirito Santo and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler also sent packing.
Now the Premier League have dropped the biggest hint yet that Jones will feature on Sunday after they abandoned their weekend fixtures.
Jones isn’t even playing in the top flight this weekend, isn’t using VAR anywhere and hasn’t even been called up in the EFL!
It’s the clearest indication yet that Jones’ latest performance on stage at the weekend was not up to standard.
It seems likely that the Premier League did not look kindly on Jones for changing his mind and agreeing to Taylor’s call, who was only acting as the fourth official.
Greater responsibility is needed for PGMOL judges
No one is calling for judges who make mistakes to be thrown in jail, but there needs to be more accountability for such mistakes.
The Premier League did well to remove Jones from proceedings this weekend and he will be devastated not to be involved in doing the job he loves.
Forest will likely have another excuse from Howard Webb to join several others and on this occasion at least it didn’t cost the Reds.
The Premier League has become too much of a closed shop when it comes to officials and when these guys step up they stay there regardless.
In our view, a league table system – a merit order if you will – would be ideal to ensure that the best referees take charge of games in what is often regarded as the best in the world.
🚨BOMBSHELL :Premier League drop biggest hint yet that Nottingham Forest were robbed vs Brighton
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